Pneumatic spring for vehicles.



W. L. RICE.

PNEUMATIC SPRING FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.8, 1914.

1,160,321, Patented Nov. 16; 1915.

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, w. L. RICE. PNEUMATIC SPRING FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 8,I9 I4.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

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PNEI TMATIG SPRING FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. to, rein.

Application filed December 8, 1914. Serial No. 876,047.

which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in pneumatic springs for vehicles,being more especially intended for use with automobiles, but welladapted for use for all vehicles where springs or cushions are required.

a The subject matter covered by this application is the same as that setforth in applicants abandoned application, Serial No. 565,0a5, filedJune 1, 1910, and allowed January 3, 1912.

"My improved device constitutes a support for the vehicle body and theyielding members of which it is composed serve to lessen the necessityfor tire resilience, whereby it becomes practicable to employ cushion.or solid tires as distinguished from pneumatic tires on vehicles of theclass indicated. But even if pneumatic tires are employed, my improvedspring is a valuable auxiliary.

A single unit of my improved construction. consists of two telescopingmembers between which my pneumatic spring or cushion is interposed, thesame consisting of two heads, one of which is engaged by each member ofthe telescoping structure, the heads being connected by a flexible tube,one extremity of which is attached to each head of the cushion, .thetube being inflated to any desired degree.

As illustrated in the drawing, one member of the telescoping structureis secured to the platform or body of the vehicle, while the othermember is supported by the axle. Under ordinary circumstances fourcushion members would be employed, each member being either duplex orsingle as may be desired, the said members being suitably arrangedbeneath the vehicle. platform or body.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed todescribe the same in detail, reference beingmade to the accompanyingdrawing, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing, Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle equipped withmyimproved pneumatic cushions, the axles of the vehicle bemg shown incross section. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2--2, Fig. 1,looking downwardly. Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1,looking downwardly. Fig. 4: is a vertioalsection taken through a duplexcushion member of my improved construction. This is a view taken on theline ll, Fig. 2, viewed in the direction of the arrow, the arts beingshown on a larger scale. Fig. 5 1s a similar section of a single memberof the cushion, being a section taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 3, viewed-in the direction of the arrow, the parts being shown on a larger scale.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numerals 5 and 6 designate the front and rear wheels of thevehicle respectively, and 7 and 8 the forward and rear axles thereof. Asillustrated in the drawing the rear axle forms the support for twoduplex pneumatic springs or cushions of my improved construction, whilethe front axle forms the support for two single members of the pneumaticform. Where the duplex structure is employed the axle may rotate. Inthis event, a base 9 is secured to the under surface of the vehicleplatform 10 by means of bolts 12. Formed integral with this base or topplate, are two depending plungers 13 telescoping in cylinders 14supported in openings 15, formed in opposite sidesof a casting 16, whichis also provided with a horizontally disposed opening 17 for the axle 8,the horizontal opening 1 be ing located intermediate the two verticalopenings 15. 4

The cylinders 14 are provided with top flanges 18, which rest upon thetop of the casting 16 surrounding the openings 15, their lowerextremities being equipped with screw. caps 19, which close thecylinders from below and form supports for the lower end plates 20 of mypneumatic cushion, which is also provided with top end plates 21, thetwo sets of pl'ates20 and 21 being connected by a relatively shortflexible tube 22 impervious to air. As illustrated in the drawing, theextremities of the tube may be secured to the respective end plates 20and 21 by wiring the same thereon asshown at 23. It is evident, however,that the tube 1 may be secured'to these plates in any other.

suitable. manner.

Attentiornis called to the-fact that the lower portions of the dependingflanges 13 are'cut away exteriorly as shown at 24, to allow the flexibletube to bend upon itself, whereby a space25 is left between the reflexportions of the tube when my improved pneumatic spring is in use. Thearrangement is supposed to be-such that the upper portion of the tube isalways bent upon itself, a narrow space, however, being left between thetwo parallel members below the bend so that there shall be no frictionalwear between these parts, In order that both tubes may be inflated tothe'same degree, branch pipes 26 lead from a central pipe 27 carrying acheck valve of ordinary construction, and which need not be describedherein detail. An air pump'may be connected with the part 27 and the twotubes of the duplex structure inflated to the desired degree, since theextremities of each tube remote from the valve member 27 terminates intubular screws 28, which pass through plain openings 29 formed in thecaps 19, and are threaded into the bottom. plates 20 of my improvedpneumatic cushions. In this form of the structure it is evident that theaxle may rotatedn the central portion of the device 16, or it may bestationary, as desired."- It will also be 'observed that in this form ofthe device the two telescoping members of the structure straddle theaxle.

In the form of construction shown in Fig.

' 5, being that also illustrated in connection with the front axle inFig. 1, and also in Fig. 3, the pneumatic cushionis inserted in anopening 30 formed in a reinforced por: tion 31 of the axle 7, but withthis exception, the single form of the device is substantially the sameaseach individual member of the This bottom plate is connected with thetop" plate 40 by means of a flexible tube '41 impervious to air, thetube being connected with the top and: bottom plates 39 and 40 in thesame manner as the corresponding parts 20 and 21 of the duplex form ofthe structure are connected, the plunger 32 being cut away as shown at.42 for the same purpose as the plungers 13 are cut away in the duplexform of the device. A check-valve-conthrough an opening 44 formed in thecap 38, the said tube being threaded into the bottom plate 39 of thepneumatic cushion. This device is employed for inflating the pneumaticcushion for the same purpose as the form.

From the foregoing description the man-' ner of'assembling the parts ofmy pneumatic 1 spring or cushion will be readily understood.

inflating means are employed in the duplex The cylinder members 14 and36 may be first I dropped into the openings formed therefor asheretofore explained; after which the screw caps may be applied to thelower ends of the cylinders. The pneumatic springs may then bedropped'into the cylinders and the inflating means connected, afterwhich the plunger members 13 and 32 maybe introduced. The tubes may thenbe inflated to the'desired degree of pressure. The platform or body ofthe vehicle may then be applied and connected to the plungers," or anyother suitable manner of assembling the construction and connecting thevehicle body may be employed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is,-

The combination with an axle and the body of a vehicle, of a cylindercarried by the axle, and a piston carried by the vehicle bodytelescoping within the cylinder, the lower extremity of the cylinderbeing closed,

a pneumatic tube interposed between the cylinder and the piston, andhaving end plates closing the extremities of the tube, the lower endplate being connected with the bottom of the cylinder, and the pistonresting upon the upper end plate, the piston being cut awayon its sidesto allow the tube to bend upon itself, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER L. RICE. Witnesses:

MAzn KIRBY, A. Ennn'r UBnmn ins

